Assessment on the impacts of tourism activities on the environment at National Parks in Vietnam

In 2018, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism assigned the Institute for Tourism Development Research (ITDR) to carry out regular tasks under the function of “Assessing the impact of tourism activities for ecological environment in National Parks (excluding 9 world biosphere reserves)”. In order to carry out the task, ITDR selected five national parks representing three regions of Vietnam (Northern, Center and Southern). National parks are selected as it has tourism development and much impacts from tourism activities, having different climate and soil characteristics, including: Hoang Lien National Park (Lao Cai – Lai Chau); Cuc Phuong National Park (Ninh Binh – Thanh Hoa – Hoa Binh); Tam Dao National Park (Vinh Phuc – Thai Nguyen – Tuyen Quang); Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park (Quang Binh); Phu Quoc National Park (Kien Giang).

In the framework of the mission, the ITDR organized a survey trips at 2 of the selected parks in the North, namely Tam Dao National Park (from August 14-17, 2018), Cuc Phuong National Park (from August 22 to August 24, 2018) and Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park from September 6 to 9, 2018, aiming to assessment of the tourism impact on the ecological environment at the two national parks and collecting relevant information and documents for the construction of the general report.

In Tam Dao National Park, the team worked with Tam Dao National Park Management Board, representative of Vinh Phuc Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The meeting took place in the manner of sharing about contents related to the status and environmental protection, as well as giving some reasons and assessment of the tourism activities impact on environment at Tam Dao National Park. In order to understand the practicality and make preliminary judgments on the impact of tourism on the natural environment, the team surveyed outstanding tourist attractions that are attracting many tourists.

At Cuc Phuong National Park, the team surveyed tourist sites and worked with Cuc Phuong National Park Management Board and representatives of Ninh Binh Tourism Department to discuss the current situation of tourism development and environmental protection in Cuc Phuong National Park.
In Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, the team had a working session with the Management Board and representatives of Bo Trach District Culture and Information Department to understand the current status of tourism development as well as environmental protection in the park. The ITDR expert team also surveyed the actual routes at the National Park. Therefore, the mission has made specific assessments on the tourism impacts on the environment and will propose timely solutions to improve the effectiveness of conservation of values, biology, as well as the ecological environment in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park.

Chien Thang